Macaria, martyred for her beloved

Zeus mated with the mortal Alcmene and had a son whom they named "Heracles". Hera, wife of Zeus, became mad and thus persecuted the hero throughout his entire life ... and even after his death.

After Heracles had died by his unwitting wife Deienira and turned into a God, his cousin Eurystheus - king of Argos and commander of his dangerous Twelve Labors - continued to persecute the family. Wherever these orphan refugees went, the evil ruler Eurystheus would order their expelle. After several years of wandering, the sons and daughters of Heracles (known as The Heracleidae or Heraclids) finally found shelter in Athens, ruled by the son of great Theseus, king Demophon.

Note 1: remember that Heracles once saved Theseus from the depths of Hell. He had been imprisoned by Hades, who magically bound them to a bench, because they had attempted to kidnap Persephone.

Note 2: Heracles had a numerous number of descendants, but the term "Heracleidae" apply particularly to the children he had with Deianira: Hyllus, Lamos, Manto, Bianor, Tlepolemus, Telephus and Macaria

Powerful Eurystheus, on his demand for their surrender being refused, attacked Athens. Finding the future of his city doomed, Demophon went to seek advice from the Oracle, which told him that the only way to defeat their enemy was to sacrifice a noble young girl in order to please Goddess Persephone. Macaria offered her life, and the ritual took place.

Eurystheus was defeated and slain. Macaria had saved Athens and his entire family.

Euripides' tragedy "The Heracleidae" (plot)

Iolaus, Heracles' old comrade, and his children, Macaria and her brothers and sisters have hidden from Eurystheus in Athens, which was ruled by King Demophon; as the first scene makes clear, their expectation is that the blood relationship of the kings with Heracles and their father's past indebtedness to Theseus, will finally provide them sanctuary. As Eurysttheus prepared to attack, an oracle told Demophon that he would win if and only if a noble woman was sacrificed to Persephone. Macaria volunteered for the sacrifice.

Further reading: Herakles: human, hero, demigod or god ?